Arraignment in multiple south Kansas City murders is expected to take place Nov. 24

Jackson County prosecutors said Thursday they expect a man accused in multiple south Kansas City murders to be arraigned Nov. 24.

At a hearing before Associate Circuit Judge Mary F. Weir, prosecutors did not say when grand jurors would be asked to indict Brandon Howell, who is facing 12 felony counts in the Sept. 2 shooting deaths on a quiet street.

Howell faces three counts of first-degree murder in the shotgun slayings of Susan Choucroun, 69, Lorene Hurst, 88, and her son, Darrel Hurst, 63.

After authorities filed those charges, two other victims, George and Anna Taylor, died. Prosecutors have said they are evaluating new charges, which could include dropping assault charges in the Taylor beatings and replacing them with additional murder counts. George Taylor was 80. Anna Taylor was 86.

Weir ordered prosecutors to begin sharing evidence with defense lawyers in 30 days, whether or not a grand jury has met to consider an indictment.

Assistant Public Defender Pat Berrigan had pressed for discovery to begin swiftly, rather than after Howell’s arraignment on a possible indictment.

“We don’t know when this indictment is allegedly going to come,” Berrigan said. “In the meantime, the defense is twiddling its thumbs.”

Weir said she will consider granting a twofold defense motion covering how prosecutors preserve evidence in the case.

Berrigan asked for an order instructing investigators to preserve their written notes so he can examine them. Often, police officers destroy original notes after preparing formal reports based on them.

Berrigan also asked that the court be notified if evidence is to be destroyed or consumed during laboratory testing. Berrigan said he wants the opportunity to have his own tests run.

Assistant Jackson County Prosecutor Ted Hunt argued against the motion, saying nothing in the lawrequires police to preserve notes or prosecutors to notify the court of scientific laboratory decisions.

“There’s not going to be evidence consumed in bad faith,” Hunt said. “We’re going to follow the law to the letter.”

This story was originally published September 25, 2014 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Arraignment in multiple south Kansas City murders is expected to take place Nov. 24."